Hiob 29

1 Und Hiob hob abermals an seine Sprüche und sprach:

2 O daß ich wäre wie in den vorigen Monden, in den Tagen, da mich Gott behütete;

3 da seine Leuchte über meinem Haupt schien und ich bei seinem Licht in der Finsternis ging;

4 wie war ich in der Reife meines Lebens, da Gottes Geheimnis über meiner Hütte war;

5 da der Allmächtige noch mit mir war und meine Kinder um mich her;

6 da ich meine Tritte wusch in Butter und die Felsen mir Ölbäche gossen;

7 da ich ausging zum Tor in der Stadt und mir ließ meinen Stuhl auf der Gasse bereiten;

8 da mich die Jungen sahen und sich versteckten, und die Alten vor mir aufstanden; {~}

9 da die Obersten aufhörten zu reden und legten ihre Hand auf ihren Mund;

10 da die Stimme der Fürsten sich verkroch und ihre Zunge am Gaumen klebte!

11 Denn wessen Ohr mich hörte, der pries mich selig; und wessen Auge mich sah, der rühmte mich.

12 Denn ich errettete den Armen, der da schrie, und den Waisen, der keinen Helfer hatte.

13 Der Segen des, der verderben sollte, kam über mich; und ich erfreute das Herz der Witwe.

14 Gerechtigkeit war mein Kleid, das ich anzog wie einen Rock; und mein Recht war mein fürstlicher Hut.

15 Ich war des Blinden Auge und des Lahmen Fuß.

16 Ich war ein Vater der Armen; und die Sache des, den ich nicht kannte, die erforschte ich.

17 Ich zerbrach die Backenzähne des Ungerechten und riß den Raub aus seinen Zähnen.

18 Ich gedachte: "Ich will in meinem Nest ersterben und meiner Tage viel machen wie Sand."

19 Meine Wurzel war aufgetan dem Wasser, und der Tau blieb über meinen Zweigen.

20 Meine Herrlichkeit erneute sich immer an mir, und mein Bogen ward immer stärker in meiner Hand.

21 Sie hörten mir zu und schwiegen und warteten auf meinen Rat.

22 Nach meinen Worten redete niemand mehr, und meine Rede troff auf sie.

23 Sie warteten auf mich wie auf den Regen und sperrten ihren Mund auf als nach dem Spätregen.

24 Wenn ich mit ihnen lachte, wurden sie nicht zu kühn darauf; und das Licht meines Angesichts machte mich nicht geringer.

25 Wenn ich zu ihrem Geschäft wollte kommen, so mußte ich obenan sitzen und wohnte wie ein König unter Kriegsknechten, da ich tröstete, die Leid trugen.

Hiob 29 Commentary

Chapter 29

Job's former comforts. (1-6) The honour paid to Job, His usefulness. (7-17) His prospect of prosperity. (18-25)

Verses 1-6 Job proceeds to contrast his former prosperity with his present misery, through God's withdrawing from him. A gracious soul delights in God's smiles, not in the smiles of this world. Four things were then very pleasant to holy Job. 1. The confidence he had in the Divine protection. 2. The enjoyment he had of the Divine favour. 3. The communion he had with the Divine word. 4. The assurance he had of the Divine presence. God's presence with a man in his house, though it be but a cottage, makes it a castle and a palace. Then also he had comfort in his family. Riches and flourishing families, like a candle, may be soon extinguished. But when the mind is enlightened by the Holy Spirit, when a man walks in the light of God's countenance, every outward comfort is doubled, every trouble is diminished, and he may pass cheerfully by this light through life and through death. Yet the sensible comfort of this state is often withdrawn for a season; and commonly this arises from sinful neglect, and grieving the Holy Spirit: sometimes it may be a trial of a man's faith and grace. But it is needful to examine ourselves, to seek for the cause of such a change by fervent prayer, and to increase our watchfulness.

Verses 7-17 All sorts of people paid respect to Job, not only for the dignity of his rank, but for his personal merit, his prudence, integrity, and good management. Happy the men who are blessed with such gifts as these! They have great opportunities of honouring God and doing good, but have great need to watch against pride. Happy the people who are blessed with such men! it is a token for good to them. Here we see what Job valued himself by, in the day of his prosperity. It was by his usefulness. He valued himself by the check he gave to the violence of proud and evil men. Good magistrates must thus be a restraint to evil-doers, and protect the innocent; in order to this, they should arm themselves with zeal and resolution. Such men are public blessings, and resemble Him who rescues poor sinners from Satan. How many who were ready to perish, now are blessing Him! But who can show forth His praises? May we trust in His mercy, and seek to imitate His truth, justice, and love.

Verses 18-25 Being thus honoured and useful, Job had hoped to die in peace and honour, in a good old age. If such an expectation arise from lively faith in the providence and promise of God, it is well; but if from conceit of our own wisdom, and dependence on changeable, earthly things, it is ill grounded, and turns to sin. Every one that has the spirit of wisdom, has not the spirit of government; but Job had both. Yet he had the tenderness of a comforter. This he thought upon with pleasure, when he was himself a mourner. Our Lord Jesus is a King who hates iniquity, and upon whom the blessing of a world ready to perish comes. To Him let us give ear.

Chapter Summary

INTRODUCTION TO JOB 29

In this chapter Job gives an account of his former and wishes it was with him now as then; and which he describes with respect to his own person, and the favours he personally enjoyed, whether temporal or spiritual, Job 29:1-4; with respect to his family and domestic affairs, Job 29:5,6; with regard to the esteem he had from men of every age and station, Job 29:7-11; the reasons of which were the mercy and compassion he showed to the poor, the fatherless, and the widow, and the justice he administered in the execution of his office as a magistrate, Job 29:12-17; in which honour and prosperity he expected to have lived and died, Job 29:18-20; and which he further describes by the respect he had among men, and the power and authority he exercised over them, Job 29:21-25.